Abstract: An extrusion die with adjustable land channel can be formed of a die body that includes a first die body portion and a second die body portion, a first lip body, a second lip body, and a land channel body. The extrusion die can have a flow channel that includes a land channel terminating in an outlet orifice. The flow channel may be bound on one side by the first die body portion, the land channel body, and the first lip body. The flow channel may be bound on an opposite side by the second die body portion and the second lip body. In some examples, the length of the land channel is adjustable by configuring the land channel body and/or first lip body to move across the width of the flow channel.

Abstract: An extrusion die is provided with an adjustable end seal assembly. The extrusion die includes a die body, and the adjustable end seal assembly includes an end seal device and a wedge mechanism. The adjustable end seal assembly has an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. When in the engaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is held forcibly against the die body. When in the disengaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is either spaced apart from the die body or held against the die body with less force than when in the engaged configuration. Methods of operating such an extrusion die are also provided.

Abstract: A coextrusion feedblock is disclosed having a housing, a central extrusion channel, a coextrusion channel, a rotatable combining plane, a rotatable profile actuator, and a profiled bar mounted removably on the rotatable profile actuator. The central extrusion channel and the coextrusion channel pass through the housing. The rotatable combining plane and the rotatable profile actuator are positioned on opposite sides of the coextrusion channel so as to confront each other.

Abstract: A flow diverter for an extrusion die is disclosed. The flow diverter includes a body having an outer surface, an elongate opening that extends along a first axis, a set of input passages that extend from said outer surface through said body to said elongate opening, and a set of output passages that extend through said body from said elongate opening to said outer surface. The flow diverter also includes an adjustable valve positioned in said elongate opening. The adjustable valve also has a monolithic spool including a first recess and a second recess opposite to said first recess. The spool is rotatable with respect to said outer body between a first position in a first flow configuration, and a second position in a second, different flow configuration.

Abstract: The invention provides an extrusion device having an adjustment valve that is rotatable between first and second operative positions. The extrusion device is configured to produce a first layer arrangement when the adjustment valve is in the first operative position and to produce a second layer arrangement when the adjustment valve is in the second operative position. Also provided are methods of using an extrusion device to produce different layer arrangements.

Abstract: An extrusion die is provided with an adjustable end seal assembly. The extrusion die includes a die body, and the adjustable end seal assembly includes an end seal device and a wedge mechanism. The adjustable end seal assembly has an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. When in the engaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is held forcibly against the die body. When in the disengaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is either spaced apart from the die body or held against the die body with less force than when in the engaged configuration. Methods of operating such an extrusion die are also provided.

Abstract: An extrusion die is provided with an adjustable end seal assembly. The extrusion die includes a die body, and the adjustable end seal assembly includes an end seal device and a wedge mechanism. The adjustable end seal assembly has an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. When in the engaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is held forcibly against the die body. When in the disengaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is either spaced apart from the die body or held against the die body with less force than when in the engaged configuration. Methods of operating such an extrusion die are also provided.

Abstract: A method of adjusting an amount of force applied to a plurality of fasteners connecting a lip body to a die body portion on an extrusion die using a fastener tension adjustment assembly is disclosed. The fastener tension adjustment assembly is adjusted to cause at least part of thee fastener tension adjustment assembly to move away from the lip body. In response to movement of the fastener tension adjustment assembly away from the lip body, amount of force applied by the fastener tension adjustment assembly on each of the plurality of fasteners is simultaneously increased.

Abstract: A coextrusion feedblock is disclosed having a housing, a central extrusion channel, a coextrusion channel, a rotatable combining plane, a rotatable profile actuator, and a profiled bar mounted removably on the rotatable profile actuator. The central extrusion channel and the coextrusion channel pass through the housing. The rotatable combining plane and the rotatable profile actuator are positioned on opposite sides of the coextrusion channel so as to confront each other.

Abstract: An extrusion die with adjustable land channel can be formed of a die body that includes a first die body portion and a second die body portion, a first lip body, a second lip body, and a land channel body. The extrusion die can have a flow channel that includes a land channel terminating in an outlet orifice. The flow channel may be bound on one side by the first die body portion, the land channel body, and the first lip body. The flow channel may be bound on an opposite side by the second die body portion and the second lip body. In some examples, the length of the land channel is adjustable by configuring the land channel body and/or first lip body to move across the width of the flow channel.

Abstract: An extrusion die with adjustable land channel can be formed of a die body that includes a first die body portion and a second die body portion, a first lip body, a second lip body, and a land channel body. The extrusion die can have a flow channel that includes a land channel terminating in an outlet orifice. The flow channel may be bound on one side by the first die body portion, the land channel body, and the first lip body. The flow channel may be bound on an opposite side by the second die body portion and the second lip body. In some examples, the length of the land channel is adjustable by configuring the land channel body and/or first lip body to move across the width of the flow channel.

Abstract: The invention provides a coextrusion feedblock having a flow adjuster, a viscosity compensation device, an actuator, a central extrusion conduit, and a coextrusion conduit. The invention also provides a coextrusion profiling insert assembly constructed to be mounted in a coextrusion feedblock. The insert assembly has a flow adjuster, a viscosity compensation device, and an actuator. The insert assembly when mounted in the feedblock has a coextrusion conduit extending between the flow adjuster and the viscosity compensation device. The actuator is adjustable to apply force to bend the viscosity compensation device and thereby adjust a gap height of the coextrusion conduit. Also provided is a method of operating a feedblock having a viscosity compensation device comprising a flex region, a central extrusion conduit, and a coextrusion conduit. Force is applied to bend the flex region of the viscosity compensation device and thereby adjust a gap height of the coextrusion conduit.

Abstract: A method of adjusting an amount of force applied to a plurality of fasteners connecting a lip body to a die body portion on an extrusion die using a fastener tension adjustment assembly is disclosed. The fastener tension adjustment assembly is adjusted to cause at least part of thee fastener tension adjustment assembly to move away from the lip body. In response to movement of the fastener tension adjustment assembly away from the lip body, amount of force applied by the fastener tension adjustment assembly on each of the plurality of fasteners is simultaneously increased.

Abstract: An extrusion die with fastener tension adjustment assembly can be formed of a die body that includes a first die body portion and a second die body portion. The extrusion die can have a lip body connected to one of the die body portions using the plurality of fasteners. In one configuration, the fastener tension adjustment assembly has an elongated body operatively connected to each of said plurality of fasteners. The fastener tension adjustment assembly is movable towards and away from the lip body, thereby simultaneously adjusting an amount of force applied to each of said plurality of fasteners. Because the fastener tension adjustment assembly can simultaneously adjust the amount of force on each of the plurality of fasteners, it can eliminate time consuming fastener-by-fastener adjustments on the extrusion die.

Abstract: A flow diverter for an extrusion die is disclosed. The flow diverter includes a body having an outer surface, an elongate opening that extends along a first axis, a set of input passages that extend from said outer surface through said body to said elongate opening, and a set of output passages that extend through said body from said elongate opening to said outer surface. The flow diverter also includes an adjustable valve positioned in said elongate opening. The adjustable valve also has a monolithic spool including a first recess and a second recess opposite to said first recess. The spool is rotatable with respect to said outer body between a first position in a first flow configuration, and a second position in a second, different flow configuration.

Abstract: The invention provides an extrusion device having an adjustment valve that is rotatable between first and second operative positions. The extrusion device is configured to produce a first layer arrangement when the adjustment valve is in the first operative position and to produce a second layer arrangement when the adjustment valve is in the second operative position. Also provided are methods of using an extrusion device to produce different layer arrangements.

Abstract: An extrusion die with fastener tension adjustment assembly can be formed of a die body that includes a first die body portion and a second die body portion. The extrusion die can have a lip body connected to one of the die body portions using the plurality of fasteners. In one configuration, the fastener tension adjustment assembly has an elongated body operatively connected to each of said plurality of fasteners. The fastener tension adjustment assembly is movable towards and away from the lip body, thereby simultaneously adjusting an amount of force applied to each of said plurality of fasteners. Because the fastener tension adjustment assembly can simultaneously adjust the amount of force on each of the plurality of fasteners, it can eliminate time consuming fastener-by-fastener adjustments on the extrusion die.

Abstract: An extrusion die is provided with an adjustable end seal assembly. The extrusion die includes a die body, and the adjustable end seal assembly includes an end seal device and a wedge mechanism. The adjustable end seal assembly has an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. When in the engaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is held forcibly against the die body. When in the disengaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is either spaced apart from the die body or held against the die body with less force than when in the engaged configuration. Methods of operating such an extrusion die are also provided.

Abstract: An extrusion die with adjustable land channel can be formed of a die body that includes a first die body portion and a second die body portion, a first lip body, a second lip body, and a land channel body. The extrusion die can have a flow channel that includes a land channel terminating in an outlet orifice. The flow channel may be bound on one side by the first die body portion, the land channel body, and the first lip body. The flow channel may be bound on an opposite side by the second die body portion and the second lip body. In some examples, the length of the land channel is adjustable by configuring the land channel body and/or first lip body to move across the width of the flow channel.

Abstract: An adjustable feedblock configured for adjusting the thicknesses of each layer of the juxtaposed extrudates forming a laminate. The feedblock includes at least one pair of opposing combining planes and at least one pair of opposing extrudate distribution blocks that are removably disposed within the housing of the feedblock. As such, the combining planes and the extrudate distribution blocks partially define portions of the flow paths for the extrudates that form the laminate within the housing of the feedblock. A method for forming a laminate having juxtaposed layers of extrudates of adjustable thicknesses is also disclosed.